Camino de Santiago: A Life-Changing Journey of Courage & Renewal

 
$3699 - $4599

30+ CME/CEUs Available
THE DARING CAMINO, MORE THAN A RETREAT - A PILGRIMAGE TO YOURSELF 
May 10-17, 2026
Join us on a soul-stirring journey through Spain’s legendary Camino de Santiago, a 70-mile pilgrimage from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela that has changed lives for centuries. This powerful retreat is designed to help you realign your mind, body, and spirit while walking through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in northern Spain. This is more than a walk—it's a sacred journey of personal transformation. Whether you’re navigating a life transition, recovering from burnout, or simply yearning for deeper meaning, the Camino offers space to reflect, release, and renew. As you walk ancient paths through forests, farmland, and centuries-old villages, you’ll reconnect with your purpose, build emotional resilience, and rediscover what truly matters.

Guided by Experts, Held by Community
Each day includes inspiring group sessions grounded in the work of the Center for Courage & Renewal and Brené Brown’s The Daring Way™. Led by expert facilitators, these interactive experiences explore vulnerability, shame, courage, and the tools needed to live a more authentic and wholehearted life. Together, we’ll examine the stories we tell ourselves and develop practices to bounce forward from life’s challenges with grace and grit.

Travel Light—In Every Way
This journey is designed for all walking levels and includes a support van for luggage transfer and rider assistance—so you can travel light, both physically and emotionally. You’ll carry only a small daypack as you walk at your own pace, with the freedom to pause, reflect, and soak in the beauty around you. And if at any point you need a lift to the next stop, we’ve got you.

Where We Stay & What We Eat
Each evening, we’ll rest in carefully chosen boutique inns, restored farmhouses, and charming local hotels, offering comfort, character, and a deep sense of place. Savor authentic Galician cuisine and local wines, celebrate your progress with fellow pilgrims, and unwind in peaceful surroundings that nourish the soul.

Why This Camino?
If you’re ready to step away from the noise, walk with intention, and return home with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose, this journey is calling you. Let the Camino change you—just as it has changed so many others. We’ve chosen the Camino Francés from Sarria to Santiago for its beauty, accessibility, and spiritual richness. As the most iconic stretch of the El Camino, it’s ideal for connecting with fellow pilgrims from around the world while honoring your own unique path.






TENTATIVE DAILY SCHEDULE
7:00am – 7:30am: Breakfast at the hotel




7:30am – 12:00pm: Daily inspirational sessions drawn from the work of Brené Brown, Parker Palmer and other thought leaders in burnout prevention and resilience12:00pm – 6:00pm: Hiking, sightseeing and exploring beautiful NC locations

6:00pm – 7:30pm: Personal reflection or relaxation time

7:30 pm – 8:00pm: Social Hour

8:00pm – 9:30pm: Group Dinner (yes, they eat very late in Spain!)



*Subject to change depending on weather, group needs, and spontaneous moments of magic along the trail.










DAILY CAMINO ITINERARY
Walk. Reflect. Grow. Each day brings new landscapes, new insights, and new connections—with nature, others, and yourself.

Day 1: Welcome to Sarria (May 10th)
Arrive in the charming town of Sarria, the traditional starting point for pilgrims walking the final stretch of the Camino de Santiago. You can check into the hotel beginning at 3:00pm, though you’re welcome to arrive earlier to explore the town’s historic quarter, visit the Monastery of Magdalena, or enjoy a quiet coffee in a local café.
At 4:00pm, we’ll gather for our opening group session. Through meaningful introductions and a shared ceremony, we’ll set the tone for our journey—one rooted in courage, vulnerability, and community. We’ll outline our learning priorities and individual intentions, forging a brave space where each of us can show up fully for ourselves and one another.
Included: Dinner, pilgrim shell, Camino passport, route notes, and luggage tags.




Day 2: Sarria to Portomarín (14.5 miles)
We’ll begin the day with reflective educational sessions on gratitude, connection, and the mindset shifts that open us to transformation. From there, your Camino journey begins along one of its most peaceful and verdant stretches.
Today’s path winds through shaded woodlands, stone hamlets, and small farms, offering rolling hills and quiet beauty. You’ll cross medieval bridges and pass moss-covered walls, sharing the trail with fellow pilgrims from around the world. The day ends with a dramatic descent into the riverside town of Portomarín, once submerged and now rebuilt stone-by-stone above the Miño River.
Included: Breakfast and Dinner




Day 3: Portomarín to Palas de Rei (15.5 miles)
This morning’s group session focuses on how to create space in your life—space to breathe, heal, and allow clarity to emerge. We’ll explore values, boundaries, and how to clear the clutter—externally and internally—to make room for meaning and purpose. The trail ascends gently into forested hills and then opens into sweeping farmland and ancient waypoints. You’ll pass the legendary Church of Santa María and walk in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims, crossing through Ligonde—a village once visited by Charlemagne. The rhythm of walking invites deep reflection on what you’re ready to release and what you’re making space for.
Included: Breakfast and Dinner




Day 4: Palas de Rei to Melide (10 miles)
Our morning gathering delves into some of the deeper waters of the journey—perfectionism, grief, and forgiveness. Through story and guided practice, we’ll consider what needs to be laid down in order to walk forward with lightness and authenticity. Today’s path takes you through eucalyptus-scented forests, over medieval bridges, and into some of the most picturesque villages along the route. Pause in San Xulián to visit its 12th-century church, or simply walk in silence, letting the beauty speak for itself. We’ll arrive in Melide, a lively town with deep pilgrim roots and excellent pulperías for another go at Galicia’s iconic dish.
Included: Breakfast and Dinner




Day 5: Melide to Arzúa (8 miles)
Today’s shorter walk gives space for deeper inner work. Our morning session uses clearness committees to support each participant in clarifying what they most desire and how to align their life with that vision. The trail brings us through tranquil countryside dotted with dairy farms and hamlets. You'll pass centuries-old chapels and walk across medieval stone bridges. Stop for fresh cheese or empanadas gallegas at a wayside stand, and notice how each step feels lighter. We’ll end the day in Arzúa, a peaceful village with a strong sense of hospitality and rest.
Included: Breakfast and Dinner




Day 6: Arzúa to Arca do Pino (12.5 miles)
This morning’s focus is transitions—how to navigate change with intention and grace. Through journaling and dialogue, we’ll reflect on the “in-between” spaces of our lives and how to hold them with curiosity and hope. The trail meanders through shaded forests and tiny villages whose very names—Rúa, Calle, Calzada—mean “road.” These ancient paths are lined with stone walls, blooming hydrangeas, and echoes of a thousand years of pilgrims who came before you. As we near Arca do Pino, there’s a growing sense of anticipation: Santiago is just ahead.
Included: Breakfast and Dinner




Day 7: Arca do Pino to Santiago de Compostela (12.5 miles)
Our final morning session centers on reclaiming your story. We’ll reflect on what has emerged, what you’re carrying home, and how you want to live going forward—with clarity, courage, and renewed purpose. The final miles of the Camino take us to Monte do Gozo (“Mount of Joy”), where pilgrims have historically glimpsed the Cathedral towers for the first time. From there, we descend into Santiago de Compostela and arrive in the magnificent Praza do Obradoiro, completing our pilgrimage. You’ll receive your official Compostela Certificate, attend the Pilgrim’s Mass, and if we’re lucky, witness the Botafumeiro—an awe-inspiring incense ceremony inside the cathedral.
Included: Breakfast and Dinner




Day 8: Departure Day or Optional Finisterre Extension (May 17th)
After breakfast, the retreat officially concludes. Some participants will choose to remain in Santiago to explore its rich history, cafes, and cobblestone streets. Others may continue westward on an optional extension to Finisterre—the mythical “End of the Earth”—where pilgrims once burned their old clothes and watched the sun set into the Atlantic, symbolizing rebirth.
Whether your journey ends here or continues, you’ll leave with more than just miles walked. You’ll leave with insight, connection, and a renewed sense of the path ahead.
Included: Breakfast




 

Day 8: Optional Extension to Finisterre – Where Land Meets Mystery
Complete your Camino pilgrimage with an inspiring day trip to the rugged Costa da Morte. We’ll start in Muxía, visiting the Santuario da Virxe da Barca, a dramatic seaside sanctuary where legend tells of the Virgin Mary’s stone boat arrival. Here, you’ll see the famous balancing Pedra de Abalar and experience the powerful coastal landscape that has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Next, we travel to Finisterre, once believed to be the very edge of the world. We’ll visit the iconic Finisterre Lighthouse perched atop cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, then descend to the stunning Playa do Mar de Fora beach—an evocative place where many pilgrims pause to reflect, release, and renew. The landscape here invites a deep connection with nature and your own journey’s meaning. Our day concludes with a leisurely lunch at the marina, enjoying fresh local seafood and shared stories before returning to Santiago. This extension offers a meaningful and reflective close to your Camino experience, blending history, myth, and the raw beauty of the sea. We will leave right after breakfast and will be back in Santiago by 5pm.
Included: Private transport, guided visits, and time for reflection.





TRAVEL SUPPORT 
This retreat is not an endurance challenge—it’s a spiritual journey. Many participants find that their most powerful lesson isn’t walking every mile, but rather learning to ask for help when they need it. Our van support ensures you can travel light, and when the body says “rest,” you're free to receive a ride to the next destination. Asking for help is not a setback—it’s part of the pilgrimage.




ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WHAT'S INCLUDED

Expert bilingual Camino guides
Daily educational and reflective sessions on resilience, burnout prevention, and authentic living
7 nights in charming inns and boutique hotels
Daily breakfasts and dinners with wine
Van support for luggage and optional transport during walks
A pre-retreat Zoom session to help you prepare for the experience
A post-retreat Zoom session to help you integrate new insights

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Airfare
Ground transport to and from the retreat (e.g., bus/train to Sarria)
Daily lunches
Gratuities for guides
Travel insurance (Click here for a quote)

CANCELLATION DETAILS


Cancellations prior to January 10, 2026 are subject to a $500 cancellation fee
Non-refundable on or after January 10, 2026
If Bounce Travels cancels the retreat, you’ll receive a full refund minus credit card fees, or you may apply your balance toward another Bounce Travels retreat through the end of the following year.

CONTINUTING EDUCATION CREDITS (CME/CEU)
This experience qualifies for up to 30 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits through ReflectCE, a platform for capturing professional reflections in real time. Eligible for physicians, nurses, NPs, pharmacists, dentists, and other licensed health professionals. Learn more about how reflection can earn you CE credits at ReflectCE.